Airway epithelium and apoptosis

Recent advances revealed that airway epithelium possesses versatile functio ns and plays a vital role in the mucosal defense and inflammatory responses . A maintenance of airway epithelium integrity is thus important and appear s to be tightly regulated by a balanced cell proliferation and apoptosis. H owever, homeostasis of airway epithelium is likely affected by multiple env ironmental pathogens, irritants (reactive oxygen species, allergens, etc.), and toxins that may lead to various lung diseases. This review briefly sum marizes airway epithelium apoptosis/proliferation in physiologic and pathol ogical conditions along with various factors influencing airway epithelium homeostasis.